If you really can't keep your child off the iPad, how long should you allow him to play on it? Also, at what age should they be really using the iPad?

In this age of technology, its not easy to keep the kids away from gadgets. Kids nowadays get used to tablets and iPads from a very early age. Sometimes parents use it to keep them engaged, sometimes to make them have their meals. Time limit should be based on age. Ideally, the lesser they are exposed the better. Maximum half an hour a day though occasionally you can give some leeway. There is no particular age to start the iPad, the later the better.